Jason Momoa has recounted a near-death experience while paddleboarding in Hawaii’s treacherous “Jaws” surf.
The actor battled broken gear, strong winds, and massive waves before reaching safety.
Actor Jason Momoa has spoken about a frightening experience in Hawaii that almost claimed his life.
In a recent podcast appearance, the 46-year-old Aquaman star recalled the 2007 incident, which happened while he was paddleboarding with friends near the famous “Jaws” surf break, a location notorious for its massive, dangerous waves.
The group had planned to cover 13 miles, but about halfway through, Momoa’s board leash broke, leaving him nearly a mile offshore in strong winds. At first, he stayed composed, but the situation became dire when 10-foot waves began crashing over him and the shoreline seemed far away.
“I was stuck in this crazy spot on the outer reef. They couldn’t see me,” he said. “I was waving my paddle, but the waves were too big.”
Momoa revealed that thoughts of his three-month-old daughter made him push harder, but his body eventually gave out. “I literally gave up,” he admitted.
Just then, his toe touched the reef, giving him a small chance at survival. A friend spotted him shortly after and helped him, though they still had seven miles to paddle through rough waters before getting back to shore.
By the time they landed, his feet were bleeding from reef cuts. Grateful to have survived, he reflected on the moment: “Head down, just paddling with my ancestors.”
